Lace tightening article

ABSTRACT

An article for tightening together the ends of a lace includes a lace end receiving device having a pair of flexible, tubular members joined together lengthwise, each member including a lengthwise retaining passage therein. The end of the lace is received within, looped through and held within the tubular members of the lace end receiving device. By employing two lace end receiving devices, one at each end of the lace, the devices may be tied together, whereby the lace is tightened without the lace itself touching. The ends of the flexible tubular members are flared outwardly. The lengthwise retaining passages are lubricated. An applicator tube is placed on the ends of the shoe lace for pushing the shoe lace through the retaining passages

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an article for tightening together the ends oflaces. While not so limited, the article is useful in tighteningtogether the ends of shoe laces on a shoe.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In my prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/090,032, filed Mar. 5,2002, entitled “Lace Tightening Article”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,358,issued Sep. 23, 2003, there is described a lace tightening article. Thedescription in that patent is incorporated herein by reference. Briefly,the lace tightening article in that patent includes a pair of elongatedbody portions, one for each end of a lace, each of the elongated bodyportions including a pair of flexible tubular members with lengthwiseretaining passages therein through which the ends of the lace pass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of this invention is an article for simplifying thetying of laces for children or others who may suffer from a disability.

Another object is simplifying the installation of the article on thelaces.

These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, one illustrative embodiment of whichcomprises an improved article for tightening together opposite endportions of a shoe lace on a shoe including: a first lace end portionreceiving device having; a first elongated tubular body portion offlexible material, a pair of first elongated, flexible tubular membersforming the first elongated body portion, each of the first elongatedtubular members including a lengthwise retaining passage therein, thefirst elongated tubular members receiving a loop end portion of one endportion of the shoe lace, the one end portion of the shoe lace extendingin one direction through the passage in one of the first tubular membersand in the opposite direction through the passage in the other firstelongated tubular member, thereby holding the one end portion of theshoe lace; a second lace end portion receiving device having; a secondelongated tubular body portion of flexible material, a pair of secondelongated, flexible tubular members forming the second elongated bodyportion, each of the second elongated tubular members including alengthwise retaining passage therein, the second elongated tubularmembers receiving a loop end portion of one end portion of the other endof the shoe lace, the other end portion of the shoe lace extending inone direction through the passage in one of the second tubular membersand in the opposite direction through the passage in the other secondelongated tubular member, thereby holding the other end portion of theshoe lace.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a lubricant isdisposed within the retaining passages of the first and second pairs ofelongated tubular members to facilitate movement of the lace through theretaining passages when the lace tightening article is being applied tothe lace. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,an applicator tube is placed on the ends of the shoe lace for pushingthe shoe lace through the retaining passages in the first and secondelongated tubular members, whereby the laces are easily fed through thefirst and second elongated tubular members.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the ends of each ofthe elongated tubular members are flared outwardly to facilitateinstallation of the articles onto the laces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description and accompanying drawing,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe with lace inserted therein;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the step of inserting one end of alace in a lace receiving device;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged, cross sectional view taken along the line 2A-2Ain FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a top view of a lace tightening device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially schematic, illustrating theplacement of an applicator of the present invention on one end of alace;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the applicator of the present invention,partially cut away;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view and partly schematic in which theapplicator is being used to push a lace through a lace receiving device;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the step of tyingtogether lace receiving devices on the opposite ends of a lace; and,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a shoe illustrating the completelyinstalled article of the present invention with lace tightening articlestied together for tightening the shoe lace on the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A shoe 11 is shown in FIG. 1 with a lace 12 having tips 13, threadedthrough a series of holes or loops 14. The lace 12 is typically ofcloth, leather or plastic.

First 15 and second 16 ends of the shoe lace 12 extend through the topholes or loops 14U.

In FIG. 2, the first end 15 of the shoe lace 12 is shown looped througha first lace end receiving device 17. Referring to FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B,the device 17 is seen as having a pair of tubular members 18,19 joinedtogether lengthwise, each member including a lengthwise passage 20,21extending therethrough.

The lace 12 is looped through the device 17 by pushing it up through thefirst passage 20 and down the second passage 21 and in the manner to bedescribed in more detail hereafter.

It should be noted that the ends of the tubular members are flaredoutwardly to make it easier to install the device on the lace.

The same procedure of looping a lace through a device is followed withthe opposite end 16 of the lace 14.

Each device is typically 2¾ inches long with passages of 1/4 inchdiameter and made as a single piece from non-toxic, flexible plastic.The plastic is such as to retain the lace within the passages withoutslippage and when tied together, to be described hereafter, to remaintied. The device 17 can be made available in a variety of colors. Thetubular members flare out between one eighth and one quarter inch.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a lubricant 22is provided within the passages 20,21. Typically, when the device 17 isbeing formed, there is a simultaneous, dual extrusion, with the outsidesurface being tacky, and the inside passage forming a slippery liner.The lubricant, as, for example, powdered talc, is introduced into thematerial forming the slippery interior liner. Although talc is mentionedspecifically, any common lubricant may be introduced which serves tofacilitate movement of the lace through the interior passages 20,21.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, and in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention, an applicator 23 is mounted on the tip 13 of one endof the lace 12. The applicator may be, for example, a tube of plasticmaterial that fits snugly about the tip 13.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the applicator 23 and lace 12 are pushedthough the lace end receiving devices 17. The applicator 23 makes iteasier to install devices on the lace and helps to feed the lace throughthe passages 20,21.

In FIG. 6, with the ends of the lace looped through the devices, and theproximal ends of the devices preferably close to or against the topholes 14U in the shoe 11, the devices 17 are twisted, pulled and tied.

FIG. 7 shows the devices 17 tied together, thereby tightening the shoelaces on the shoe.

There is no requirement to attach anything to the shoes or modifying theshoes themselves in any way.

It is not necessary for the lace to touch itself. Fraying of the lace isminimal since there is no knotting of the lace or rubbing between partsof a lace. The laces can not go back into the lace holes.

The laces do not come loose thus avoiding tripping from a loose lace.

It is easier for a child to tie this than tying a lace and is a teachingtool for when a child is able to tie a lace alone.

Older persons will find it easier to use than lacing one's shoes.

The invention may also be used with laces for other types of footwear,clothing, packaging and containers.

It should be obvious that changes, additions and omissions may be madein the details and arrangement of parts without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. An improved article for tightening together opposite end portions ofa shoe lace on a shoe comprising: a first lace end portion receivingdevice including; a first elongated tubular body portion of flexiblematerial, a pair of first elongated, flexible tubular members formingthe first elongated body portion, each of said first elongated tubularmembers including a lengthwise retaining passage therein, the firstelongated tubular members receiving a loop end portion of one endportion of the shoe lace, the one end portion of the shoe lace extendingin one direction through the said passage in one of said first tubularmembers and in the opposite direction through the said passage in theother first elongated tubular member, thereby holding the one endportion of the shoe lace; a second lace end portion receiving deviceincluding; a second elongated tubular body portion of flexible material,a pair of second elongated, flexible tubular members forming the secondelongated body portion, each of said second elongated tubular membersincluding a lengthwise retaining passage therein, the second elongatedtubular members receiving a loop end portion of one end portion of theother end of the shoe lace, the other end portion of the shoe laceextending in one direction through the said passage in one of saidsecond tubular members and in the opposite direction through the saidpassage in the other second elongated tubular member, thereby holdingthe other end portion of the shoe lace; and, means for facilitatingmovement of a lace into and through the retaining passages of said firstand second elongated tubular members.
 2. The article of claim 1 whereinthe retaining passages of said first and second pairs of elongatedtubular members are lubricated.
 3. The article of claim 1 including anapplicator tube to be placed on the end of the shoe lace for pushing theshoe lace through the retaining passages in said first and secondelongated tubular members.
 4. The article of claim 1 wherein the ends ofthe elongated members are flared outwardly.